Ch. 442 1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(I) THE CASE WAS ORIGINALLY FILED IN THE DISTRICT COURT;

(II) THE CASE WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE DISTRICT COURT TO
A CIRCUIT COURT; AND

(III) THE AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY IN THE ACTION IN THE
CIRCUIT COURT DOES NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN § 4-401 OF THIS
ARTICLE FOR THAT TYPE OF ACTION.

(B) (1) SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE AUTHENTICITY
OF A BILL FOR GOODS OR SERVICES PROVIDED AND THE FAIRNESS AND
REASONABLENESS OF THE CHARGES OF THE PROVIDER OF THE GOODS OR
SERVICES SHALL BE REBUTTABLY PRESUMED MAY BE PROVED, WITHOUT THE
TESTIMONY OF THE PROVIDER OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES, BY ADMISSION INTO
EVIDENCE OF THE PAID BILL.

(2) THE BILL SHALL BE ADMITTED ON TESTIMONY, BY THE PARTY OR
ANY OTHER PERSON WITH PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE:

(1) (I) IDENTIFYING THE ORIGINAL BILL OR AN
AUTHENTICATED COPY; AND

(2) (I) (II) 1. IDENTIFYING THE PROVIDER OF THE GOODS OR

SERVICES;

(II) 2. EXPLAINING THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING
THE RECEIPT OF THE BILL;

(III) 3. DESCRIBING THE GOODS OR SERVICES PROVIDED;

(IV) 4. STATING THAT THE GOODS OR SERVICES WERE
PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE ACTION; AND

(V) 5. STATING THAT THE BILL WAS PAID.

(C) THE PRESUMPTION DESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION
APPLIES ONLY IF, AT LEAST 30 60 DAYS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIAL, THE
PARTY WHO INTENDS TO INTRODUCE THE BILL FILES WITH THE CLERK OF THE
COURT AND SERVES ON ALL OTHER PARTIES AS PROVIDED UNDER MARYLAND
RULE 1-321:

(1) NOTICE OF THE PARTY'S INTENT TO INTRODUCE THE BILL WITHOUT
THE SUPPORT OF THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROVIDER OF THE GOODS OR SERVICES
THAT WERE BILLED; AND

(2) A COPY OF THE BILL

(D) NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION MAY BE CONSTRUED TO:

(1) APPLY TO PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF A MEDICAL DENTAL OR
OTHER HEALTH CONDITION, THE OPINION OF A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, OR THE
NECESSITY AND THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL DENTAL OR OTHER HEALTH CARE:

- 2722 -